Designing community based breeding

strategies for indigenous sheep breeds of smallholders in Ethiopia:

the case of Horro sheep

Presented by Temesgen Jembere (CLTL) at the ICARDA-ILRI-BOKU project workshop on Designing

community-based breeding strategies for indigenous sheep breeds of smallholders in

Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, October 29, 2010.

Presentation outline

» Introduction » Procedures» Achievements» Problems » Conclusions

1. Introduction Current productivity of Ethiopian indigenous sheep is low.

• Off-take rate is 33%• Carcass output is 10 kg• Net meat output is 3.7kg.

Considerable genetic variation for growth and survival is there for

these indigenous breeds including Horro.

Horro sheep are widely distributed in the western part of Ethiopia

in the area which lies within 350 to 380 E and 60 to 100N.

The breed is one of the heaviest breeds in the country and 2nd

largest in terms of population.

Horro warada (where the project was implemented) is situated on

the longitude of 36047’E and latitude of 7026’N.

2. Procedures

1. Project team formation:

the team was composed of researchers with different background (breeding, nutrition, health) and led by CLTL.

2. Sites and community selection as per the project criteria: • Accessibility• Sheep population (secondary data and Observation) • Communal grazing land

3. Intensive discussions were made with the wider community and also warada level bureau of agriculture (through workshops)

2. Procedures …

4. Description of the production system study conducted

5. Breeding objectives defined

6. Alternative breeding strategies designed

7. Access to selected rams created for the community

(implementation phase)

3. Achievements in brief

3.1. Different workshops were held @ shambu where the wider community, project management from ILRI, warada level decision makers and the collaborating research institute were in attendance. Through these workshops very good ground was established for the project.

3.2. Being with the M.Sc. student, description of the production system study was conducted

3. 2.1. Major findings from production system study • Sheep are ranked first in terms of importance and income

among livestock species in the project area

3. Achievements in brief…

3.2.1. Major findings from production system study ….

• Flock size was 8.2 ± 5.86 and the male to female ratio

was 1: 13.4.

• Main sources of feeds were found to be natural pasture, crop aftermath, and crop residues

• Feeds, breeding, health and training were outstanding interventions identified

• Phenotypic attributes of the breed were also characterized

3. Achievements

3.3. Breeding objectives defined

The major achievements under this core activity were definition of

breeding objectives, breeding strategies and creation of access to

selected ram

3.3.1. Supplementary activities were performed to production system study work to define the real breeding objectives:

• Hypothetical choice card experimentation

• Own flock ranking

• Group ranking

3. Achievements …

3.3. Breeding objectives defined …

3.3.2. Three major traits were identified to be the breeding

objectives of the project sites: these were body size, prolificacy (twining) and survival.

Genetic improvement for these traits was agreed to be on the

paternal (sire) side.

3. Achievements …

3.4. Alternative breeding strategies designed

Four breeding schemes (strategies) were designed by PhD

student discussed with project team and the community.

These were:

(1)10% ram selection and 2 years of ram use

(2)15 % ram selection and 2 years of ram use

(3)10% ram selection and 3 years of ram use and

(4) 15 % of ram selection and 3 years of ram use.

3. Achievements …

3.4. Alternative breeding strategies designed …

These strategies were made clear for the community.

The 1st scheme was selected by the community

The reasons the farmers put for choosing the 1st scheme were• Fear of inbreeding • Older rams may not respond to feeding when they be

out of breeding system

Social network analysis was conducted to set the rams use

bylaws.

3. Achievements …

3.5. Implementation

• All age and sex group of animals were identified

• A total of 2248 animals were identified with permanent ear tag

• Except newly born lambs all animals were de wormed with

Albendazole

• Age and live weights of all animals were recorded

• The age of animals were back traced based on info from owners and dentition

3. Achievements …

3.5. Implementation …

• Reproduction performance of each ewe were recorded

• Record formats developed and provided both to enumerators and farmers for ewes and lambs record.

• Two weighing scale (100 Kg) with 200 g graduation were

provided to enumerators of the to sites.

• Records have been taken on birth weight, weaning weight, 6

month weight and yearling weights.

3. Achievements …3. 5. Implementation….

• Different groups for ram utilization were formed

• Twice ram selections were conducted where the 1st batch are under service and the second batch are on the way to be distributed

• Hence, some dragging back situations have been changed

– Improved productivity by reducing reproductive losses (right time

mating when ewes are in heat made possible in contrary to the used to be practice)

– Rams of interest (preferred) made available for breeding

• These actions are expected to bring individual as well as flock level genetic change (improvement)

3. Achievements …

3.6. Intervention activities

Intervention activities supposed to reinforce the main breeding

work have been conducted at the project sites.

3.6.1. Feeds

Trainings on the conservation and utilization of crop residues and

establishment of backyard forages were provided for the

community member.

3. Achievements …

3.6. Interventions…

3.6.2. Health

Liver fluke was and is the most economically important

disease of the areas.

Pasturolosis, pneumonia, circling diseases and other GIT

parasites are also common in the area.

Hence, 3X de worming per year, vaccinating against pasturolosis

and treating the project embraced animals were some activities.

3. Achievements …

3.6. Interventions…

3.6.3. Cooperative

• Agreed upon the importance of the cooperative formation

• Farther discussion made with warada level experts and farmers

• Forming and making it legal is under way

3. Achievements …

3.6. Interventions ….

3.6.4. Other activities

With the sprit of integrated approach, the crop sector of Bako RS

was gravitated to the project sites and conducted potato, wheat

and barely researches.

4. Problems

Data generated at project sites were not communicated with ILRI

as needed

Way of making the non selected animals out breeding system was

not yet correctly designed

Emerging interests of the wider community to join the project

were difficult to entertain

5. Conclusion

Achievements made so far were promising.

Once the strategy is designed, due emphasis should be given to

interventions particularly to feeds and health.

Systematic approach should be devised to make the none

selected male sheep out of breeding system

Targeting improvement (change) at least at warada level, way of

encompassing more community shall be thought over.

Thank you!